laptop stand

RogerRabbit · Oct 1, 2004

HI

I just got hired by thompson emergency and should be on the road in the next week or two. I am buying a gps program for my laptop and was wondering what some of you use for a stand. I have seen some for sale but they are pretty expensive, $250-500. I think that's pretty expensive for a stand unless i dont know better. What do some of you guys use? Any help at all is greatly appreciated.
THX

davekc · Oct 1, 2004

I think delorme has them but not sure on the price. They are at www.delorme.com I go the most inexpensive way and have the wife hold it. (just kidding of course)

Davekc

spitfire · Oct 2, 2004

You might want to take a look at http://www.jottodesk.com/ They are not cheap.

danzman50 · Oct 2, 2004

I just use my passenger seat for my stand.

Dan

mikecop · Oct 3, 2004

I have my laptop mounted on a speaker mount which I bought at Meijer's Thrifty Acres (available in most discount stores in the hardware dept). I paid $20 for a set of two speaker mounts. I have my GPS unit on the shelf above the driver's seat--when I had my FL70 I had the GPS just laying on the dash.

I have seen the DeLorme laptop mounting stand, and it is quite nice--I think it is about $150. Mike

Lawrence · Oct 3, 2004

RogerRabitt,

Take a look at the Boser- Great product, on the pricey side. We gave a few of these away at past Expedite Expos.

http://www.mobileplanet.com/m_includes/landing_pages/boser/boser.asp

http://www.mobileplanet.com/product...ssories&dept_id=8380&pf_id=MP930430&listing=1

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com

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Fr8 Shaker · Oct 7, 2004

Hey Roger, One of the best and cheapest I had seen a driver made out of 2 floor flanges and some threaded pipe. First he had 1 flange fastened to the side if the passenger seat base with self tapping screws, with about a 6" piece of threaded pipe coming out from there, then a 90 degree elbow followed by about a 12" pipe coming up, then a 45* elbow and a 6" pipe to another 45* elbow to another short pipe to another flange which fastened to the back of the qualcom case (not the qualcom itself) you could do the same thing with a laptop just need to build a box for the laptop to sit in and fasten the box.
I'm sure with a little imagination you could make it work for you and also swivel out of the way when not in use. The sizes above are just approx. but as long as you make it come up and toward you i'm sure it would work just fine. It did for him.

Best of Luck,
Fr8 Shaker

theoldprof · Oct 7, 2004

Do you guys make a lot of this stuff on your down time when you are on the road, or do you wait until you are at home? Looks to me like a mitre box, small saw and cordless drill would come in handy on the road. Probably everybody carries their tool box don't they?
Thanks. :+ :+

redytrk · Oct 7, 2004

I have a 16'box on my "c"Truck,so there is an extra 2'for my tools and personal gear.Removable shelves and a fork truck baracade were put in.This gives me the space and ability to do repairs and fabrication on the road.This way I dont have to be a slave to the truck if and when we ever get home.Tools include 2 elect drills(one cordless)and a saber saw.Havent seen the need for a mitre box yet.I do plan to put in a bench vice that should be a big help.By the way I just put in a new Engel food freezer that will allow us to carry a lot more frozen foods.Should save a lot over thos TS meals,ond be more healthful to boot.I Was amazed that the temp was down to 5 degrees in about 15 min.

Fr8 Shaker · Oct 21, 2004

Hey Roger, Just wondering what you decided to do as far as a laptop stand ?

RogerRabbit · Oct 21, 2004

Hi fr8shaker,

I looked for a while and decided to go with he boser that is advertised here, unfortunately when you ty to buy it on the web they dont ship to canada. I tried calling them but no one returned my calls. Anyways, I found another similar product www.jottodesk.com it was a little more money but, my laptop is pretty expensive and I didnt just wanna leave it on the seat. I should get it in a few days and ill let you guys know how it is.

By the way I start oreintation on nov 2nd with Thompson emergency and should be crossin the border on the 4th. hopefully I'll see some of you out there.

Broompilot · Oct 21, 2004

Both Boser and Jotta Desk are out of stock, but if you find otherwise please E mail. Ordered one last Friday was notified Monday they are out. The more expensive Jotta Desk, lets the fan do its cooling better was the one I ordered and is discontinued. So tried the other model cables on the stand and were back ordered. Your right on these are expensive to replace or repair the X-tra spent could be the difference between a repair bill or the price of the stand. Solid investment in my view.

msdelaware · Oct 31, 2004

I found a very inexpensive way to use my laptop & gps. I went to Staples bought a computer monitor stand & clamped it to a 2x4 base I made. It swivels & has an arm to move it back & forth. When not in use it moves over toward the passenger side . Cost about $25. To kep it on the stand you can stap it (my choice) or possibly velcro it. I've been using this simple stand for about 4 yrs. It was a good investment.

The Gibster · Nov 6, 2004

We used a 'used' QC stand for ours, total cost - I snagged it for$22.00 with extra screws! The whole thing is mounted in an FL70, and the plastic QC bracket is not on the metal top plate. I had an old steering wheel desk that I cut the clipboard off of, the resulting platform is as long and wide as the laptop. When I cut the desk, I left the 90 degree bend on the front, keeps the laptop in place with the help of non-skid shelf liner.

Drilled 4 holes in the desktop, spent $1.89 on mounting screws and nuts, and voila, a laptop stand.

I will be accessorizing . . .adding strips of aluminum to lengthen the desk on the top of the stands top-plate. This will put the laptop further over the users lap, and thus more comfortable. Also adding a wingnut in place of the big nut on the bottom of the topplate. When the laptop isn't there it'll be flat folded down, out of place.

Tweek the top of the stand just a little and the laptop will be in a 'flat' configuration for the user.

If you 'Joey Chitwood' and stand the truck up on 2 side wheels, add a small bungee cord. Otherwise, it's stayed in place - even in NYC!

Good Luck.

Doggie Daddy · Nov 7, 2004

joey chitwood, now there's a name i haven't heard in quite a while.i can remember many years ago seeing his show at our county fair(medina county,ohio)it was awesome.i wonder if he's still around.DD.

The Gibster · Nov 8, 2004

Chitwood was the best! You lucky dog, you got to see him in person

I only got to see him on 'The Wide World Of Sports', and can remember hovering about a couple of inches off the couch every time he wiggled her a little. Wow!